Fans are debating the merits of Beyoncé’s halftime show and comparing it to Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl show, the latter of which famously performed while pregnant.
On December 25, Beyoncé performed her Netflix exclusive halftime show at NRG Stadium in Houston during halftime of the Texans-Ravens game. The performance featured several songs from her albums cowboy Carter, and featured special guests Post Malone, Shaboozey and her daughter, 12-year-old Blue Ivy.
However, after the performance ended, some fans began pointing out similarities between Queen Bey’s performance and Rihanna’s headlining performance at Super Bowl 2023. Many of them pointed out the stage design Beyoncé used and compared it to the floating stage Rihanna had during her halftime show.
“Rihanna’s influence is inevitable,” one person wrote.
Another shared: “Apparently Beyonce hired Rihanna’s exact 2023 SuperBowl Stylist and Choreographer for her 2024 SuperBowl Performance. Now that makes sense.”
“Why is Beyoncé wearing Rihanna’s nachos on that platform?” another asked.
However, others were quick to defend Beyoncé and the copying accusations leveled at her.
“Beyoncé on the run 2 tour in 2018…Beyoncé is always in Rihanna’s sights,” a fan shared along with a photo of the floating platform from the tour.
“Are you guys crying on a train platform? Lmao I love Rihanna but that’s nothing new or something she’s famous for. It’s really just a stage and both shows are on out on a football field and Beyoncé is still in the air. I seriously doubt she was inspired by how are you bored???”
Y’all crying on a stage fr?😭 lmao I love Rihanna but that’s not new or something she’s famous for. It’s really just a stage and both shows took place on a soccer field and Beyoncé was still in the air⬇️ I seriously doubt that’s how she was inspired. Are people bored? ???😵💫 pic.twitter.com/yPQ0TZz1gS
– Q (@DasaniDrip_) December 26, 2024
“The reality is the whole world is celebrating Beyoncé for giving one of the greatest halftime performances, while the navy is downplaying it because they are so insecure and filled with hate. I always saying the navy hates Beyoncé more than they love Rihanna,” another shared, referring to Rihanna’s devoted fan base.
The reality is that the entire world is celebrating Beyoncé for giving one of the greatest halftime performances, while the navy is downplaying it because they are so insecure and filled with hate. I always say the navy hates Beyoncé more than they love Rihanna https://t.co/hzYBRLymq7
— Ayonce🇲🇦 (@Pandaonce) December 26, 2024
But criticism of Beyoncé’s performance was not limited to fans. Dave Portnoy went to X to share his disappointment about the screening.
“Beyoncé has been LOST since Destinys Child,” he said, quoting his old tweet from 2023 sharing that he thought Rihanna was far superior to Beyoncé.
Keywords Rihanna, Beyonce